US President Barack Obama has joked that Prince George’s dressing gown reception was a sign he is on his way out of office.

Images of the Prince meeting the president and wife Michelle in his pyjamas were broadcast around the world after the couple spent an evening with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace during their official visit to Britain in April.

Mr Obama described George, two, as “adorable” during the trip, but reflecting on the moment during his speech at the star-studded White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday he suggested, light-heartedly, that the young prince’s attire held much broader significance.

He quipped to laughter that being greeted by George in his bathrobe was a slight akin to the Republican leaders no longer answering his phone calls, a sign attention is elsewhere as he prepares to leave office later this year.

During his visit the president and first lady met the Queen and Prime Minister David Cameron, who played golf with Mr Obama. The round was used for another pithy gag by the African American leader.

In previous years the president’s speech at the Correspondents’ Dinner has been delivered with humour and withering put-downs. Mr Obama famously ridiculed presidential hopeful Donald Trump over the tycoon’s public questioning of the president’s birth certificate.